Since his appointment as CEO of The IRONMAN Group in early 2024, Scott DeRue has launched into a transformative journey that goes past sensible management. Over the previous a number of months, DeRue has immersed himself absolutely into the world of IRONMAN endurance occasions, not simply as an govt, however as a bodily participant too. Because of this, M&F have been excited to take a seat down with the boss to learn how he got here to his present position, how he juggles coaching with enterprise targets, and what the longer term holds for endurance sports activities generally.

By participating with the athletes and even collaborating within the occasions, you’ve gotten positioned your self as the perfect man to foster IRONMAN’s fame as a world chief in endurance occasions. However what led you to your present position as CEO?

I had the privilege of serving because the Dean of the Enterprise Faculty on the College of Michigan. It was an amazing honor and a privilege to have the ability to work with college students from world wide. I then had the chance to go function President of Equinox (the luxurious health and well being membership firm) the place I used to be a part of a unprecedented staff that rebuilt following the pandemic. All my previous profession strikes have been centered on creating experiences for those who assist them reside more healthy, happier, and extra joyful lives. 

So, when The IRONMAN Group known as and was all for what my imaginative and prescient may be for a way we may rework the athlete expertise and actually take it to the following stage, I knew we’d be an ideal match – for not solely what The IRONMAN Group can do, but in addition the ability of endurance sports activities throughout all disciplines. As a runner, cycler, mountain biker, and general endurance athlete who’s adopted The IRONMAN Group for a few years, that they had me at hiya!

How would you greatest sum-up the IRONMAN model to newbies?

The IRONMAN Group creates experiences that encourage. If you wish to problem your self, if you wish to uncover your true potential, if you wish to expertise the enjoyment that comes from reaching one thing that perhaps you didn’t even suppose was potential, competing in one in every of our portfolio’s races is for you!

When did your personal love of endurance sports activities start?

I grew up in North Carolina and performed conventional American sports activities reminiscent of basketball and soccer. It wasn’t till school that I bought into lengthy distance working and endurance sports activities. Throughout school, I discovered some mates who have been runners and so I began working with them. As my profession began to unfold, I bought all for mountaineering, and for the final twenty years, I’ve had the chance to climb the tallest mountains on this planet. (In March, DeRue is hoping to finish his aim of climbing his seventh summit).

 I began working lengthy distances and getting extra into endurance sports activities to coach for mountaineering. What I got here to find out about myself is that I like the ‘pleasure of stuff’. I like the coaching course of as a lot, if no more, than the precise vacation spot or the race itself. It was after I began getting severe about mountaineering that I discovered a love for endurance sports activities, and I accomplished the Gobi March Ultramarathon in 2023. 

You additionally tackled your first IRONMAN occasion throughout your first yr as CEO in 2024. How do you handle coaching alongside your corporation position?

In October, 2024, I accomplished my first occasion at our half-distance IRONMAN 70.3 North Carolina triathlon in 5:45:08.  Like a lot of our athletes, we’re juggling many balls within the air on the identical time. Firstly, it’s necessary to have a staff round you that’s supportive in you reaching your objectives, even when these objectives are tough and embody making sacrifices. I stand up early within the morning. I typically come dwelling late at night time. I’m coaching earlier than or after work. Everyone has their very own model of coaching.

Completely. Can we dig into how you want to coach?

I take pleasure in working lengthy distances with no route or a vacation spot in thoughts, and I particularly love working within the mountains or alongside the water in Florida. I’ve actually got here to develop a love for biking that I didn’t know I had. I’d by no means actually cycled earlier than beginning to prepare for my first IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, so I bought a motorbike and like a lot of our first timers, simply began and figured it out alongside the best way. You finally discover some mates to coach with who offer you recommendation. Operating for me is my first ardour, however I actually got here to like biking — going out on a Saturday and using for a couple of hours across the islands of Florida. 

The swimming portion was more durable for me however one of the crucial useful issues was our partnership with TriDot, a digital coaching platform. I used it to personalize my teaching and training, so I didn’t have to consider my plan. It was customized to me and even when I missed a day, it will replace mechanically. 

I often prepare 4-5 occasions per week. When I’m actually centered and when I’ve a selected aim in thoughts, my coaching can go as much as six days per week. My classes in the course of the week shall be about an hour a bit after which on the weekends I’ll prepare for a couple of hours.

Has the IRONMAN neighborhood impressed you to push more durable after your first yr?

I’m fortunate to witness so many inspiring athletes and a number of the most inspiring moments come from these final hours on the IRONMAN end line. I keep in mind the primary triathlon I went to was the Anzco Meals IRONMAN New Zealand, again in March 2024. One of many final finishers was a extra senior athlete who, the earlier yr, had missed the end cut-off time by a few minutes however this time he crossed the road with simply seconds to spare. That’s a second I’ll always remember!

Watching Billy Monger set a document because the quickest double amputee at this previous yr’s IRONMAN World Championship in Kona was extremely inspiring too. With the ability to perceive his journey and getting to satisfy him and see simply how humble he’s and the way devoted he’s to inspiring others was unbelievable. Now we have athletes who overcome all several types of obstacles in life. 

UTMB World Sequence this previous yr, Vincent Bouillard, who received the lads’s race, shouldn’t be even an elite skilled athlete. He’s a HOKA worker. That may be the equal of an IRONMAN worker going and profitable the IRONMAN World Championship. Insane! Katie Schide additionally smashed the document for the ladies’s division, which was unbelievable to witness.

There are such a lot of athlete tales throughout triathlon and path working. That’s one of many joys of being on this position and having the privilege to be a part of this staff. I like attending to witness these tales first-hand and attending to know these athletes. Engaged on the bottom, you get to understand and perceive their journeys and the way laborious they’ve labored to get to that second with all of the those who have supported them.

Sports activities unites so many individuals! So, again to your corporation position, what do you suppose the way forward for endurance sports activities seems to be like?

I’m extremely optimistic. In some ways, we’re in an expertise economic system versus only a consumption economic system lately. In endurance sports activities, and particularly participation sports activities, we’re making a platform for experiences that folks discover objective and that means in and wish to be part of.  I’m additionally very optimistic as a result of persons are investing in their very own well being and wellness to a larger diploma than ever earlier than. 5-to-ten years in the past, no person was speaking about longevity. 

Now everyone’s speaking about it and we’re seeing athletes grow to be capable of carry out at a better stage for much longer and later of their careers. And that’s true not just for execs, however our novice and age group athletes as effectively. These are sturdy tailwinds for the way forward for endurance sports activities as a result of we’re a platform for folks to higher themselves and to put money into their very own well being, wellness and health on the identical time!

To become involved in IRONMAN go to: https://www.ironman.com/ and to observe Scott DeRue’s progress on Instagram click on right here https://www.instagram.com/scottderue/?hl=en